Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1887-08-25
The SECRET MARRIAGE.
BY LOUISE GREY.

The story I'm about to tell is the true
experience of my dearest friend.
You may think it dull, kind reader.
beg, however, your leniency. as the absence
Of fiowery language is balanced by the
truth of the narrative.
Eugene Eggleston loved Laura lie Favre
fondly, devotedly. He loved her as only
those can love who possess that warm, af-
fectionate temperament matured under q
Southern sun, affiuence, and the sweet in
fuence of loving friends. His was true
manly nature, u noble heart, face and
physique almost perfect. He had eyes of
clear, beautiful blue, through which one
could look way, way down into the very
heart. and see nothing corrupt therein. A
complexion as rich and warm as his nature,
and soft auburn hair which accompanies
that peculiar shade of blue eyes. There
was nothing Objectionable in himl Moth
ing absolutely nothing.
lie was the embodiment of everything
grand and noble-and yet consent to
%ithheiid with tHP tPieSttO t bis assp Bqsa9s was
Proud, wealthy, and aristocratic, Colonel
lie Favre had always held himself so far
above every one in his suburban town
whore his summer home had been for
quarter of century, that he was regarded
with awe and reverence. One hardly dared
approach him until he made the first ad-
vance toward recognition, and 1t was with
a faint heart and nervous bearing that
Eugene sought this naughty man and made
known his desire.
Col. Lie Favre had raised his only child,
Laura, alone. The day that gave her birth
saw her mothers eyes close in death, and
the father from that hour centered his whole
heart upon the child; had given her every
advantage abroad that wealth could secure;
and now, at the age of seventeen, he real
lied with a feeling of satisfaction that his
daughter was inferior to none in beauty,
education, refinement and culture.
She was his idol.
Watch her as she perches on the arm OF
the great upholstered chair in which her
| father sits. Her right arm encircles his
| neck. aud they make an attractive pair. He,
| with his handsome face lit with paternal
love and pride, and she, with that dark,
| rich, magnetic beauty that battles oil de-
| scription. Her brown 'elvety eyes are
| deeply fringed with long, dark lashes that
| incline upward and at tho corners come
together in 80 bewitching manner as to
impart a combined look of childish purity
and innocence with love of fun and mirth.
The contour Of her face is oval; her COM
plexion most enviable, and her mouth SC
beautiful, 80 rich in coloring, and with
clear cut curves, which bespoke q love fol
everything good and purc; and such aswee'
expression
one cannot look at her without desire t
| kiss,
And both men and women were alike in this.
An abundance of silky black hair, care
lcssly put back in two long braids, is held
by cream satin ribbons, and dress o.
cream colored summer fabric, on q fault
less figure, complete the picture. She Il
happy, for Eugene that evening is to asl
for her hand, and she soliloquized in this
manner
"I know papa's love for me is too grea
10 deny me any pleasure; for l cannot re-
call one instance where he has refused m'
anything"
She seemed to feel certain of his up.
proval. His refusal was never dreamed
Of; but that evening Eugene Eggleston re-
ceiyed, in words most painfully to thu
point. an absolute and final refusal OF he
hand, with warming full of subtle mean
ing, TO withdraw his suit at once. He wa
nearly wild, and did nothing but walk th
streets all night and contemplate suicide.
The next morning, at the hour his dar
ling was accustomed to take her daily ride
ho mounted his favorite saddle horse, an,
searched the road she usually selected
lust in time to see her emerge from benz
around thicket of willows. From tn
expression of her face he saw she kneN
all He had no hopes. He knew he mus
give up his darling.
Eugene, have never disobeyed IN
father in my life," she said, and brok
down. She could not speak for an IN
slant, and, believing that she was trying e
summon courage TO say "good-by" to hir
forever, aud knowing he would rather hea
his death-warrant read. he felt a paloxysI
of pain, an uprising in his throat, and hi
heart seemed to stop beating.
Soon she continued: "But without yo
/ cannot live, and knowing the depth G
my fathers love for me feel confident G
his forgiveness in the course / am about
follow. Eugene, i will marry you thi
hour, and before I dismount from m
pony"
Ho felt as though he had been calle
back to life.
They turned their horses, and in silenC
i, reached the residence of the dear old d
vine who had baptized Laura and love
her rs his own. The minister had not IL
moral courage 10 refuse the request 81
made, even though il was full of mad re
nance, and there, under the massive bougl
of n grand old forest tree, and on horse
back, Laura lie Favre and Eugene Eggle
ston were made husband and wife.
The laws of their State did not requil
tho marriage license.
Realizing the hasty step taken, she 1e
her whole nervous system giving way; bl
she soon had control of herself, as 81
knew sbe had need of great courage
meet her father and disclose what TO hi
: would seem appalling intelligence.
They rode along, not in silence th
time, as many plans must be made to me
all emergencies. Eugene knew his bar
4 account was ample, and IL his life wi
! spared by the Colonel, a heaven was hi
for here by his side was the one dearer
him than his life, his wife.
On reaching the house Lanra assumed
cheerful manner, tripped gayly TO the do
and pulled the bell. In n moment IL W
answered by her father. His cOuntenan
was stern, and her heart almost stood sti
but she thought IL wise 20 treat the subje
lightly, and as she had often done befor
she threw both arms around his neck aI
confessed oil, begging his forgiveness.
:. She did not know Colonel lie Fayre, O
p though she was his child.
IL He pushed her from him almost savag